Dubai developers halted delivery of about a quarter of the properties set for completion this year, bolstering apartment rents but failing to stop a 16% price decline, according to international real estate advisor CBRE.

Housing and homeless charities have given a broad welcome to the government's package of reforms for the rental sector.

Enda Kenny yesterday rejected claims Fine Gael was as close to developers as Fianna Fáil, despite reversing a decision to scrap a lucrative fundraising golf event under his watch.

The receivers of the Spencer Dock Development Company have disputed claims by Davy Target Investments that it is entitled to €9m payments arising from agreements over distribution of rent monies from a large office block on Dublin’s quays.

Because of the downturn in the building industry, partially completed private housing developments have been lying unsold. Uncertainty reigned and nothing happened.